Judge rules on police interview of triple murder suspect

SPOKANE, Wash. --- Roy Murry, the man accused of killing three members of his estranged wife’s family, was in court on Friday.

Murry’s trial is scheduled to begin in November, but on Friday a hearing was held to establish what can and cannot be said in court.

Murray spoke to detectives several times before he was in custody.

The big question was whether or not what he said during the conversation could be used during his upcoming trial.

Murray is charged with three counts of first degree murder for the deaths of his father-in-law and longtime Spokane Fire Lieutenant Terry Canfield, his brother-in-law, John Constable, and his mother-in-law, Lisa Canfield.

Murray is also charged with arson and attempted murder.

Detectives also believe Murry had planned to kill his estranged wife, but that night she had to work late and was not at home.

In court on Friday, the three law enforcement officers who questioned Murray after the murders, gave their testimonies.

Murry’s defense attorneys argued that what Murry said to Spokane County Detectives during an interview on May 30, 2015 should not be used during trial because Murry was not read his rights.

“All of the sudden once he was in the room, he realized that he wasn't gonna be free to leave unless he kept talking and it is for that reason he needed to be read his Miranda rights if the questioning was to continue,” said Murry’s defense attorney.

During an interview in question, detectives said Murry told them Russian Secret Service could be involved in the deaths of his in-laws.

“Mr. Murry was trying to make me believe that it was, that there was a secret spy organization responsible for this killing,” said Detective Keyser.

Motion hearing underway in case of Roy Murry. He's accused of killing 3 members of his estranged wife's family & setting their home on fire.

Although Murry was taken into custody after that interview on May 30, 2015, the prosecution argued he was not in custody during the interview and did not need to be read his rights.

"This was an interview largely lead by Mr. Murry with the information he wanted to give to detectives, this was not a custodial interrogation and at no time during the question and answer period did Miranda rights apply and I would ask the court to so find,” said Spokane County Prosecutor, Larry Haskell.

Ultimately, the judge agreed and ruled that what Murry said during the interview with detectives, can be used during the trial.